Using Natural Light in your Photographs

Using Natural Light in your Photographs

For a photographer,  the weather can be either your best friend or your worst enemy. Obviously it is not possible to control the weather so that you have idea conditions when you are shootings, however, there are ways to make the most of what you got. Whatever the weather; sunny, rainy, or even cloudy day, you can still use the landscape to create beautiful photgraphs.

The two golden times in a day that are good for photographers  occur straight after sunrise and right before sunset. These golden windows are generally longer in the summer than in the winter. You, may be wondering why these times are known as the best for great photgraphs, well it is because during the early morning and late afternoon, the sun is positioned so that it offers dramatic lighting effects, but does not create harsh shadows or blazes of light..

If you have ever taken a subject outside for a photoshoot just before noon you may have noticed one of the three things. First, your subject spends a lot of time trying not to squint because of the sun. Secondly, your subject appears very dark because they are standing with their back to the sun, thereby creating a silhouette effect.

Lastly, your subject’s face and features look distorted due to the sun at one side creating strange shadows. None of the options help in achieving a good photograph. And if you venture out at noon, all the shadows will disappear and give the picture a flat appearance. Sunrise and sunset offer just the right mix of lighting and shadows, and in many cases a beautiful photographic opportunity , since the colors are so beautiful in the sky.

If it is a cloudy or overcast day, it is still possible to get some great pictures. Clouds can diffuse the light so that the subject is illuminated with natural light, but with no harsh shadows. You will need to use a flash if the pictures appear too flat, but you could try photographing in black and white, instead of color.  Black and white photographs work well on overcast days, when often color shots would look washed out.

On a rainy day  you can still get some shots, with the rain adding an interesting element to the image. However you will need  to protect your equipment from rain. You might also  consider bringing other people along to hold umbrellas or carry bags to avoid them  having to be placed on the wet ground. But when the raini is falling all around you will need  to keep an positive attitude so that you can get some great shots